First Security Bank locations will be closed on Thursday, November 27th in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Normal business hours will resume Friday, November 28th.
Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
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Expanded Itinerary
9:30 am - 9:45 am | Check-In
We'll provide donuts and coffee to start the day off right!
9:45 am - 10:00 am | Introduction
First Security employees explain why we're gathering and introduce staff.
10:00 am - 10:45 am | ag market outlook for 2026 and beyond
Join Iowa State University Economics Professor Chad Hart as he explores the factors shaping ag markets over the next 12-18 months. Together, he and the audience will investigate the impacts of the general economy (inflation, exchange rates, etc.) and international trade (tariffs and trade agreements) on livestock and crops, along with the potential for changes in government policy and the impacts from those changes. The potential for profitable marketing opportunities for the next couple of years will also be discussed.
10:45 am - 11:00 am | Break
A quick break to stretch, grab refreshments, visit with others, and get ready for the next session.
11:00 am - 11:45 pm | Managing Margins when times are tough
Chad Hart will continue, and during this session, he and the audience will examine historical and current profit margins as well as outline the flow of net farm income over time. Together, they will summarize current production costs and discuss several strategies for managing farm finances when the financial situation worsens. Professor Hart will also outline the impacts of the farm bill and other support programs on net farm income.
11:45 pm - 12:00 PM | Q&A with Chad Hart
Join Chad Hart for a brief Q&A session to address audience questions and expand on his earlier discussions.
12:00 pm - 12:45 PM | Lunch, Fraud Talk starting at 12:15 PM
Enjoy grilled ribeye sandwiches by the Floyd County Cattlemen. Hearty sides and desserts will also be provided.
Fifteen minutes into the lunch break, First Security fraud specialists Amy Wilson and Selena Jensen will share the most common scams they see affecting rural residents, from fake checks and too-good-to-be-true winnings to high-pressure phone calls and online schemes. Drawing on their experience presenting across North Central Iowa, they’ll provide clear, practical steps you can take to protect yourself — including how to spot warning signs early, slowing down before responding, and leaning on trusted advisors when something doesn’t feel right.
12:45 pm - 1:45 pm | Aaron Putze, Buckle Up. Shift Down. Rise Above.
If farming were easy, everyone would do it. But those in agriculture know that each day brings challenges that test the very best of themselves, their businesses, and their families. That’s why every planting and harvest season feels so special—and every triumph so meaningful. Join author and strategist Aaron Putze for a time to reflect, laugh, learn, and celebrate the uniqueness of Iowa agriculture and the global importance of every farm. You’ll “put pencil to paper” as Aaron shares proven, practical strategies for steadying your farm, business, and team in the face of unprecedented uncertainty and unrelenting challenges. Leave renewed, inspired, and reminded of the people and moments that make agriculture the greatest profession of all!
1:45 pm - 2:00 pm | Break
2:00 pm | Iowa Ag Update
Mike Naig is invited to speak at 2:00 PM, pending schedule confirmation. If he cannot attend, the program will conclude after the prior session.
Speaker Information
Chad Hart, Professor of Economics, Iowa State University
Chad Hart was born and raised in southwest Missouri. His parents raised a few cattle and operated a small meat locker. He received a B.S. in economics with minors in mathematics, history, and astronomy from Southwest Missouri State University in 1991. He received a Ph.D. in economics and statistics in 1999 from Iowa State University. Chad became a faculty member at Iowa State in 2008. He is a professor in economics, is an extension economist, and is the crop markets specialist for the university.
Aaron Putze, Iowa Soybean Association, Author
Aaron Putze is an accomplished author, speaker, and strategist. Raised on a farm near West Bend, Iowa, Aaron learned firsthand the rewards and challenges that accompany farm life. Upon earning degrees in communications and public relations from the University of Northern Iowa, Aaron began his career in agricultural communications in 1993, taking the job of copy editor with Spokesman Press in Grundy Center. He joined the staff of the Iowa Farm Bureau in 1994 and for 16 years served in a variety of roles including executive director of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers. Later this year, Aaron will celebrate 15 years as a member of the Iowa Soybean Association team, currently serving as Chief Officer of Brand Management & Engagement. He’s the author of two books, works with companies and associations to hone their strategic thinking and culture, and speaks to dozens of audiences around the country each year. Aaron holds a certificate in supervisory leadership from Drake University, is an accredited public relations practitioner, and is a volunteer in Rotary, his church, and community. His wife Crystal and three children live in Waukee, Iowa.
Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Ag
Secretary Mike Naig grew up on his family farm near Cylinder in northwest Iowa and continues to be involved in its operation. He is a graduate of Buena Vista University, where he studied biology and political science. Naig was elected Iowa’s 15th Secretary of Agriculture in 2018 and re-elected in 2022 after previously serving as Deputy Secretary of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. His work centers on expanding markets and trade opportunities for Iowa farmers, advancing water-quality and land-stewardship efforts—including leadership on the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy—and building Iowa’s future ag workforce by engaging and retaining young people in agriculture.